The calls just started and I LOOOVE Google Voice!

[catleg]

When you're in the right mood you can play the game of "try to keep them on the phone as long as possible." Many times they just won't hang up on you. Especially from overseas. I had a Discover "account manager" talking for at least 30 minutes one time. Ah, I miss them, damn automatic stay.

[kvangild]

That would work if you could keep from getting sucked into a conversation with the debt collector (and giving away information they could use against you later) and you just wanted to confirm that they had the right phone number for you. It will not stop them from calling.

I would say if you are going to do this, simply say your first and last name and tell them you are in the process of filing bankruptcy and that you have no assets. Then hang up on them.

But the only way to get them to stop calling is to send them something in the mail. Sometimes email works and it's free, so it is worth a try, if you can find their email address.

As it's been mentioned previously in this thread a C&D letter works wonders.I did that to about every debt collector and had some peace and quiet.

[GoingDown]

I dont get this IRRATIONAL FEAR of dealing with collectors. They WONT kill ya!

1.) pick up the phone

2.) confirm who u r

3.) acknowledge the debt

4.) laugh @ their face for buying the debt and remind them that they just lost their money

5.) tell then you are filing for BK and you expect a NO ASSET decision

6.) tell them to call you again if they need to confirm anything.

Worked for me flawlessly

That would work if you could keep from getting sucked into a conversation with the debt collector (and giving away information they could use against you later) and you just wanted to confirm that they had the right phone number for you. It will not stop them from calling.

I would say if you are going to do this, simply say your first and last name and tell them you are in the process of filing bankruptcy and that you have no assets. Then hang up on them.

But the only way to get them to stop calling is to send them something in the mail. Sometimes email works and it's free, so it is worth a try, if you can find their email address.

[coolmom04]

I dont get this IRRATIONAL FEAR of dealing with collectors. They WONT kill ya!

1.) pick up the phone

2.) confirm who u r

3.) acknowledge the debt

4.) laugh @ their face for buying the debt and remind them that they just lost their money

5.) tell then you are filing for BK and you expect a NO ASSET decision

6.) tell them to call you again if they need to confirm anything.

Worked for me flawlessly

I like it!!!

[creditgone]

I would love an invite if anyone has one. I applied for one but I am yet to receive it.

[mkuki]

I dont get this IRRATIONAL FEAR of dealing with collectors. They WONT kill ya!

1.) pick up the phone

2.) confirm who u r

3.) acknowledge the debt

4.) laugh @ their face for buying the debt and remind them that they just lost their money

5.) tell then you are filing for BK and you expect a NO ASSET decision

6.) tell them to call you again if they need to confirm anything.

Worked for me flawlessly

[debtprison]

Well, I HOPE they call a relative or two who had the prissy nerve to pass judgment on my long-term unemployment. And I hope they keep calling them. Because these wet noodles will get flustered, and/or feel embarrassed that my pending bankruptcy is now common knowledge among family and (more importantly) their inlaws. That's why.

So the debt collector's tactic only works if you have fear, or actually care what others think.

Personally? I'm AWFULLY close to jumping the shark on 'what others think'.

Good for you. Often I've found that those who would pass judgment on you are simply put, full of it. I've had relatives of mine called and I simply told them to give them my phone number and PO box then tell them never to call again and that6 if they do, they should call the police or ignore them.

TIP: Many phones allow you to select "No ringer" or "Silent" for certain numbers. This works pretty good as far as not beign able to disturb you.

[anykey]

A nice person sent my a GV- and I so THANK you!!

[anykey]

they really should use a working phone to place calls. That split second tells me - it is them. I refuse to pay $8 for caller ID.

I am getting tired of the calls. I just complained to the FTC over it.

[flyinbroke]

How does it not support it? What won't it do for you? I have a prepaid phone and GV works with mine. The only thing I couldn't get to work was linking google voicemail to link to the voicemail on my prepaid phone, but I didn't need it to do that.

It IDed my phone service and a note said it does not support TMobile prepaids.

[coolmom04]

If you want to request an invite from google, go here:

https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/

I didn't realize you could do that

[coolmom04]

GOt it to work, only to find out that it does not support prepaids. Ah well. I suppose I can move my new number here lol.

How does it not support it? What won't it do for you? I have a prepaid phone and GV works with mine. The only thing I couldn't get to work was linking google voicemail to link to the voicemail on my prepaid phone, but I didn't need it to do that.

[JEM]

If any one has any more invites...I'd be interested.

[flyinbroke]

GOt it to work, only to find out that it does not support prepaids. Ah well. I suppose I can move my new number here lol.

[flyinbroke]

It is calling out that it cannot verify my phone. Bummer.